Why We Chose It:
- Good for immune system.
- Good for muscle and energy maintenance.
- Gives healthy skin and coat.
Technical Specifications:
- Weight of 30 pounds.
- Senior dry food.
- Applicable to all breeds.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Senior Dog Food
- Top Pick: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior
- Runner Up: VICTOR Senior
- Also Great: Purina ONE Smart Blend
- Noteworthy: Blue Buffalo Home-Style Recipe Senior
- Not Bad: Iams Mature
This post will include several highlighted dog food formulas that might improve the overall well-being of your senior pet. There are several crucial benefits that can be reaped from these high-quality dog food brands. Important vitamins and minerals are always used within these senior food selections to make sure that your older dog gets all of the nutrients and benefits that are available.
Many of these products have exceptional ratings from existing pet owners. While fresh dog food can be a great option for senior pups, these kibble and wet dog food options can also do the trick, no problem. Some of these recipes can help with overall health, energy levels, and other similar concepts. Senior dogs can really benefit from specialized dog food brands that focus on enhancing the quality of life by utilizing important vitamins and minerals in dog food.
Before we start, remember that there’s a difference between adult dog foods and those fit for a senior dog’s diet. As your dog ages, its nutritional requirements change, and that process doesn’t stop once they become an adult. Throughout your dog’s life, you’ll need to readjust your food choices to keep them at healthy body weight and to compensate for any new issues, like a sensitive stomach, food sensitivities, etc. The American Veterinary Medical Association considers a dog “senior” at 7 years old, however, it differs somewhat depending on size, breed, etc.
From grain free senior dry dog food to foods that promote mental sharpness, a healthy coat, or strong immune system – we considered all senior foods for your pet pal.
Best Senior Dog Food of 2022
We are now going to shift our focus towards several of the highest-rated brands of dog food for senior dogs. These senior dog food formulas are best for older pups because of their health benefits. We have several great brands to highlight in addition to our choice for today’s best senior dog food, and we will include the top features for each brand as well.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
Top PickTop Pick
| Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior |
| CHECK LATEST PRICE → |
Runner UpRunner Up
| VICTOR Senior |
| CHECK LATEST PRICE → |
Also GreatAlso Great
| Purina ONE Smart Blend |
| CHECK LATEST PRICE → |
NoteworthyNoteworthy
| Blue Buffalo Home-Style Recipe Senior |
| CHECK LATEST PRICE → |
Not BadNot Bad | Iams Mature |
| CHECK LATEST PRICE → |
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Top Features
- Four Different Packaging Size Options are Available
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Omega-6 Fatty Acids Provide Healthy Skin and Coat Benefits
- Important Protein, Vitamins, and Minerals for Improved Energy Levels
- Glucosamine Promotes Joint and Muscle Health in Senior Pups
A lot of pet owners with senior dogs might be interested in considering our choice for today’s best senior dog food: the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Senior Formula. This is easily one of the most popular senior dog food brands that includes ingredients such as deboned chicken (with some chicken by product meal) and whole grain brown rice that offer complete and balanced nutrition specifically for aging dogs. There are several crucial benefits in this formula that should be considered by pet owners. The largest benefit might be the enhanced level of energy that your senior dog could have after eating a diet of this recipe for a little while. The enhanced senior recipe of chicken and rice is designed to improve energy levels and stimulate senior dogs in many different ways.
Senior dogs might also notice improved mobility and joint function after eating this formula of dog food. Other possible benefits also include improved muscle mass and agility thanks to the protein sources present. There are several important vitamins and minerals includes in this recipe. A primary focus was placed on ensuring that senior dogs get all of the health benefits that are available to support their immune systems.
The ingredients are filled with antioxidants and vitamins that will improve the overall health of your senior pooch. This dog food can be purchased for small and large breed dogs. This high-quality formula can be purchased in multiple package sizes. There are four different sizes between 3-Pounds and 30-Pounds that can be selected for purchase.
There are a few other possible health benefits to discuss as well. Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids can help your dog’s skin and coat. Omega fatty acids can also be a helpful addition for dogs with kidney disease. These crucial benefits are often overlooked. It is extremely important that you find dog food brands with these types of benefits because they can really help senior dogs on a daily basis. For all of these reasons and more, the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula gets our vote for today’s best senior dog food.
VICTOR Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
Top Features
- High-Quality Protein & Natural Ingredients to Promote Health
- Specialized Dog Food Recipe for Weight Loss in Older Dogs
- The Dry Food Recipe includes Glucosamine and Chondroitin to Promote Joint Health
- Three Different Package Size Options are Available
There are several great nutritional benefits for senior dogs in our second-place choice amongst today’s best senior dog foods: the VICTOR Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food. About 78% of this formula utilizes quality proteins, such as high-quality beef, chicken & chicken meal, and fish and pork meals. The addition of glucosamine and chondroitin can greatly assist joint health in senior dogs. These benefits in particular can help senior dogs with mobility, energy, and comfort.
Many pet owners will be glad to hear that there are multiple package size variations available to choose from. You can purchase a small 5-Pound or 15-Pound bag, or you can buy a much larger 40-Pound bag that will last for a much longer period of time.
One of the nice things about this particular brand of dog food with a focus on protein is that there is no corn, wheat, or soy in the dry dog food formula. Many veterinarians will mention that these ingredients can create allergic reactions in certain types of dogs and cats. That is one of the main reasons that the VICTOR Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food stays away from these risky ingredients. All in all, you can’t go wrong with this VICTOR blend, which is why it deserves recognition amongst today’s best senior dog foods.
Purina ONE Smart Blend Vibrant Maturity 7+ Adult Formula Dry Dog Food
Top Features
- Two Different Package Sizes are Available
- Designed to Support the Immune System in Older Dogs
- Real Chicken is the Primary Ingredient, a great source of protein (No Artificial Flavors)
- Includes High Level of Protein to Help Stimulate Energy Levels
The next product that we are going to take a look at is the Purina ONE Smart Blend Vibrant Maturity 7+ Adult Formula Dry Dog Food. This dry dog food utilizes a special formula that is best for older dogs – those pups 7 years old or more, as the name suggests. Some of the benefits include increased levels of energy and mental stimulation. You might also be able to supply your dog with crucial nutritional benefits such as quality protein that can improve their immune system and improve their overall health.
A lot of pet owners will be glad to hear that this dry dog food formula never uses any artificial flavors. Real chicken is the primary ingredient providing protein, and several other ingredients help to provide the important health benefits that we previously discussed. There are currently two different package size options to consider for purchase. You can elect to purchase the smaller 16-Pound bag or alternatively purchase a larger 32-Pound bag.
Blue Buffalo Home-Style Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables
Top Features
- No Artificial Flavors or Preservatives
- Great for Muscle Mass, Joints, and General Health
- Promotes a Healthy Immune System in Older Dogs
- Packaging Includes 12 Large Cans of Dog Food
The Blue Buffalo Home-Style Recipe is an exceptionally popular canned food brand that is highly recommended for older dogs. This wet dog food brand has several natural ingredients including sweet potatoes as well as fruits and vegetables that could improve the overall well-being of your senior dog. In fact, quality proteins, fruit, and vegetables are among the most common ingredients in this particular formula. A traditional package includes 12 cans of dog food with about one serving per can.
Some customers have had success serving this wet food for older dogs as a mix with dry dog food. This isn’t specifically recommended, but it might be best for some picky dog eaters. This popular formula of dog food does not contain any corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food
Top Features
- Includes Crucial Antioxidants to Promote a Healthy Immune System
- The #1 Ingredient in this Dry Food Formula is Natural Chicken, a great source of protein
- No Artificial Flavors
- Three Package Size Options are Available
Several customers might be interested in purchasing this Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food for older dogs. There are currently three different packaging options available between 7-pounds and 30-pounds. This brand utilizes a chicken recipe for protein with whole grains and other important ingredients. No artificial flavors are used within this formula. Real, farm-raised chicken is the top ingredient in this formula, providing protein, while other key nutrients complement the recipe by may provide benefits to bone health and the immune system in mature adult dogs.
In addition to the protein, the mixture of fibers does play a role in improving the digestive health of older dogs. Additional antioxidants within the formula also improve general health and specifically the immune system. Several other vitamins and minerals contribute to positive health benefits in older pups.
The Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food is best for all types of dog breeds. This formula should only be used with senior dogs because the formula specifically provides benefits for dogs in the later stages of their life. Alternative products may be available for dogs that are in their younger years.
Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula
Top Features
- Crafted with Live Probiotics
- Contains a Reasonable Amount of Protein and Glucosamine
- Formulated with Real Chicken as the Top Ingredient for Great Protein
- Three Different Package Size Options are Available
A lot of pet owners are going to be pleased with the positive benefits that might be available in the Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula. This dog food brand is extremely popular, and your dog’s appetite should have no problem adjusting to the delicious taste. There are three different package sizes that you can purchase. The smallest variation includes a bag that weighs approximately 6-pounds. Larger packaging options are also available at 18-pounds and 34-pounds.
Omega-3 fatty acids are included in the formula to promote joint health. Other benefits are also included within the formula to try and support the immune system in older pups. Real chicken is the top ingredient, but it is also complemented with quality protein, glucosamine, live probiotics, and natural probiotic fibers. All of these crucial additions play significant roles in various categories for older dogs. This is one of the main reasons that so many veterinarians recommend this dog food brand for older pups.
It is highly recommended that you store this dry dog food formula in a cool and dry location. This dry food can be fed to dogs of all breeds and sizes. You should not feed this dry food to younger dogs because there are other excellent dog food formulas that might be a better choice. This formula is designed to stimulate the well-being in older pups that might be struggling in some health categories.
The crunchy food design is extremely easy for older pups to chew and swallow. After your dog starts getting into the routine of eating this dog food, you might start noticing an increase in energy levels for your dog. This is a really good sign because it might indicate that all of the healthful nutrients are successfully being digested by your dog.
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Senior Dog Food FAQs
Here are some special questions you might have about feeding senior dogs:
What Is Considered A Senior Dog?
The senior status of a dog can actually vary depending on breed, size, and weight. Generally speaking, small breed dogs will be considered senior status at 10 or 11 years old. A medium or large dog might move into the senior category around 8 or 9 years old. Some dogs might even be considered seniors as early as 7 years old, depending on their weight and breed, with small dogs showing a tendency to have more strut in their stride longer and large dogs aging a bit more quickly.
You should check with your dog’s veterinarian to gain a better understanding of your dog’s current status and diet requirements. They may be able to provide you with additional information to help you determine if it is best to start transitioning your dog to senior dog food formulas with appropriate balances of fiber, protein, and fat. Older dogs are also more likely to suffer from sensitive stomachs or other conditions, so be cognizant of that fact.
Do senior dogs need special food?
There are certainly some important considerations for your dog’s food choices when transferring them to a special grain free senior dog food formula. These specialized formulas can include quality protein, vitamins, minerals, natural ingredients, and much more. Many of these ingredients are capable of promoting a healthy digestive system and immune system. Other ingredients might boost energy levels in older adult dogs and improve their joints and bones.
Typically, you’ll see more senior dog foods contain processed ingredients like the chicken byproduct meal as avoiding these foods is not the primary concern at this life stage.
In many cases it is suggested that you make sure to avoid grain-free formula for senior dogs – particularly in the event that your dog has trouble with digestion. While grain-free dog food has gotten a lot of air time lately, it’s worth considering ditching the grain-free recipe and sticking with a dog food formulation featuring wholesome grains such as white or whole brown rice as well as whole grain barley – though sweet potato is often welcome as well.
Lastly, you can inform a dog delivery food service or nutritionist of your dog’s age and they will formulate your dog’s meals appropriately.
What should I feed my senior dog?
There are several blends of high-quality chow that might be the best dog food for your senior pooch. You are going to want to focus on a reputable brand that uses natural ingredients (preferably organic dog foods) with high-quality protein such as farm-raised chicken. You are probably going to want to avoid brands that use artificial flavors and preservatives in their formula, and there’s a good chance you’ll want to avoid grain-free recipes. While grain-free recipes might be passable for younger pups, the food will be easier to digest for older dogs with the inclusion of high-fiber grains in their diet.
Lean protein should always be the first priority, such as a good, hearty turkey meal. If you’re strapped for time and want to feed your senior dog more fresh ingredients like this, you can always try out a fresh dog food brand.
Your vet should have better insight into the precise, balanced diet that works best for your pooch. Some senior pups will need a high-protein diet (with quality protein) to help them maintain muscle mass. Others may need a specially-formulated limited-ingredient diet to minimize disturbances to their digestive system. Chondroitin and glucosamine in an adult dog food diet can help alleviate issues with joints. Then, of course, there are other things that can creep up like kidney disease, gum disease, and other health issues that might impact the dietary needs of an adult dog on the waning side of their golden years. Taking your vet’s recommendations into account, the best situation would be the find a reputable brand with natural ingredients that can help to boost your dog’s general health across all categories. Remember that older dogs’ needs are different from young pooches.
You should always stick with brands that focus on the crucial health benefits that are available for older pups to take advantage of. Setting a routine diet for your older dog to eat their regular meals with the best dog food of this type can improve their daily comfort and health.
How much food should I feed my senior dog?
It can be extremely tough to answer this question because the ideal diet for every dog is different. The best thing to do is to directly ask your dog’s veterinarian about food portions. This will probably depend on your dog’s health, weight, and age, all of which will affect its protein requirements. Some brands of dog food for older dogs offer a basic diet guideline that you can follow, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to make slight adjustments to their diet based on your personal experiences and your veterinarian’s advice.
As our dog’s age, we get tempted to simply throw caution to the wind and feed them as much as they want. However, you need to always be on alert to prevent unhealthy weight gain as this can seriously impact your dog’s quality of life. So, avoid dog foods with excessive calories and help your senior pup stay in tip-top shape for longer.
